Saturday morning 6th June 9.00 am, I set off back to Southwell for my second day at the folk festival. Once again it was a bright sunny morning, though the forecast was for a breeze later in the day.
First things first on arriving on site, breakfast. A sausage and bacon cob and a mug of tea. Then it was over to the second stage to see John Thompson, Nicole Murray and Emma Nixon from Queensland Australia who perform as Cloudstreet. John presented his album "The Great War", a mixture of songs, poems and narrative about WWi and the contribution of the ANZACS.
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| John Thompson |
The highlight of the set was a song about a young Australian girl, Maud Butler, who tried to sign up by dressing as a boy so she could be with her brothers, fighting the Turks.
So time for walk around the site before the next set. This year the children's area was separated from the main site giving it a much larger area. Along with Jan's van a large black van that is used as a blank canvas for kids of all ages a chance to express themselves with chalks and paint, there was a climbing wall, Bungy trampolines and water zorbing
After the break it was time for my first visit into the Big Top and the main stage. First up was Anthony John Clarke who had appeared the previous day on the second stage, but now had a chance to play to a bigger audience. Once again he performed a very entertaining set.
Next up was one of the bands I was really looking forward to, and I was not disappointed, Coco and the Butterfields. They play a mix of traditional folk mixed with blues, jazz and hip-hop, featuring fiddles, guitars, horns, vocals and a human beatbox.
After a superbly energetic set that had the crowd standing at the end in great ovation it was time for things to chill out and slow down somewhat. The quality of the music was however stepping up another notch in the form of three of the UK's top folk musicians. Nancy Kerr, Andy Cutting and Martin Simpson. Playing songs and tunes from their recent album "Murmurs" With three such talented musicians this turned out to be one of the highlights of the festival. Martin Simpson as always played guitars and banjo with consummate ease and with his usual dry wit talked about how some of the songs came about. Nancy Kerr is a top class singer and fiddle player and along with Andy Cutting on melodian and accordion we were treated to a right royal mix of traditional songs and originals. What more should be expected of this trio of award winning performers. Definitely worth catching if you get the chance.
Next up was one of the bands I was really looking forward to, and I was not disappointed, Coco and the Butterfields. They play a mix of traditional folk mixed with blues, jazz and hip-hop, featuring fiddles, guitars, horns, vocals and a human beatbox.
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| Coco and the Butterfields |
After a superbly energetic set that had the crowd standing at the end in great ovation it was time for things to chill out and slow down somewhat. The quality of the music was however stepping up another notch in the form of three of the UK's top folk musicians. Nancy Kerr, Andy Cutting and Martin Simpson. Playing songs and tunes from their recent album "Murmurs" With three such talented musicians this turned out to be one of the highlights of the festival. Martin Simpson as always played guitars and banjo with consummate ease and with his usual dry wit talked about how some of the songs came about. Nancy Kerr is a top class singer and fiddle player and along with Andy Cutting on melodian and accordion we were treated to a right royal mix of traditional songs and originals. What more should be expected of this trio of award winning performers. Definitely worth catching if you get the chance.
| Simpson, Cutting and Kerr |
A bonus for me was that I purchased the new limited edition "Murmurs" cd/dvd set and limited 7" vinyl, both signed by all three.
Time to move back outside and catch the end of a short set by Flossie Malavialle playing at the open stage next to the children's area. Flossie is always a delight and very entertaining with her mix of French and Geordie banter. Flossie comes from France but has lived in the North East for many years. She sings covers of other peoples songs, a mix of folk and just great songs, mixing in songs by Jaques Brel and Edith Piaf with folk tales.
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| Flossie Malavialle Time for something to eat and drink before the evening session and back into the big top. First up was Keith Donnelly a Southwell regular who as always played his usual mix of comedic songs and told tales of being on the folk circuit. |
| Keith Donnelly |
Artisan, the next group are a trio of singers who have been on the folk scene for many, many years. Totally acapella they have a great sound and are lately described as a legendary English Harmony Group, a description that is well suited. Featuring Jacey & Brian Bedford with Hilary Spencer they sing a mix of serious and humorous songs most written by Brian. There best known song "What's the use of wings" most famously covered by another folk legend Vin Garbutt.
| Artisan |
Next up more great music from Cutting and Wood. Andy Cutting returning to the main stage this time alongside troubadour and teller of tales Chris Wood.
| Cutting and Wood And so onto the last group of the day and one I was really looking forward to seeing. We Banjo 3, four lads comprising two sets of brothers that play a mix of Irish tunes and Americana songs tinged with a large helping of bluegrass. Right from the off they had the crowd in the palm of their hands. Superbly talented multi award winning musicians back in their native Ireland they playing was interspersed with some great chat amongst each other and with the crowd. I can honestly say for me they were the highlight of the weekend. |
So that was it for my second day, one more day to go.
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